International Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Irish
"golden princess"
In early, pre-Norman Ireland, this name was borne by both a sister and a niece of high king Brian Boru. Now, the English form Orla is more commonly used.
Gaelic variation of Catherine
"pure"
Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…
"dear, beloved"
This Irish form of international favorite Cara is a new entry into Ireland's Top 100. But in the US last year, no babies were named Caragh. That final gh, though often silent in English as in might…
Ualan is a masculine name with Gaelic origins, primarily found in Scottish and Irish naming traditions. It likely represents a variant of the name Alan or Allan, which means "handsome" or "cheerful"…
Bhaltair is a masculine name representing the Scottish Gaelic form of Walter. With Celtic origins, this uncommon name carries the same Germanic roots as Walter, derived from 'wald' (rule) and 'hari'…
Gaelic
"fair stranger"
Originally a nickname for Viking invaders, it gained fresh impetus in the 18th century when James Macpherson made Fingal the central character in his Ossianic poems. An offbeat addition to the Fin-…
Maois is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, serving as the Irish form of Moses. Pronounced approximately as "mweesh" or "meesh," it carries the rich historical and spiritual significance…
"red-haired"
Ruadhan (sometimes spelt with a fada: Ruadhán) is a fashionable name in its native Ireland. Borne one of the Twelve Irish Apostles, it originated as a diminutive of Ruadh, meaning "red-haired". It…
Uaithne is a rare masculine name from Irish mythology, pronounced approximately as "OO-an-ya" or "WAHN-ya." In Irish legend, Uaithne was the name of the dagda's magical harp, which could produce…
Variation of Aoibheann, Irish
"beautiful sheen"
Aoibhinn and its twin name Aoibheann may be popular in Ireland but most English-speakers would find the spelling baffling and the pronunciation impossible to divine. It's ee-van, or se-vin, fitting…
"sweet, goodness"
Sadhbh was the name of several real and legendary Irish princesses, including the daughters of Conn of the Hundred Battles, of Queen Medb of Connacht, and of King Brian Boru. It's also written Sabha.…
An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.
"life, or beauty"
Aoibhe may be considered a form of either Aoife -- beauty in Irish -- or Eve, which means life. Either way, this popular Irish name for girls is pronounced as Eva though outside of Ireland few would…
"light"
Pronounced lee-sha, Laoise is the feminine form of the Irish mythological names Lugh and Lugus, which means light. Lugus was the Celtic god of commerce and craftsmanship, the equivalent of the Roman…
Irish Gaelic
"swift"
Popular in Ireland but less familiar elsewhere, Eimear is a mythological choice, which some may see as a fresh alternative to Emma. In Irish legend, Eimear was the wife of the warrior hero…
"grain or love"
Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a…
Popular in Ireland, though not as popular as its spelling variant Eimear, Emer is a mythological name, associated with the legendary wife of the warrior hero Cuchulainn. She was said to possess the…
"world, light, white; rock"
Ailbhe is a unisex Irish name that has appeared throughout Irish history, borne by a 6th-century (male) saint, and by a female warrior of Fianna, a legendary group of women warriors, led by Fionn…
Celtic, Short Form Of aoibheann
"beautiful, radiant"
One of many Irish names that, despite pronunciation challenge, are beginning to be taken into consideration here as authentic Celtic versions of familiar English names.
Blathnaid is a feminine Irish name with ancient Celtic roots. Pronounced roughly as 'BLAW-nid' or 'BLAH-nid,' it derives from the Irish word 'bláth,' meaning 'flower' or 'blossom.' The name carries…
